Humidity Controlled Cigar Package

ABSTRACT

The invention generally pertains to a humidity controlled package for a cigar. A foil package configured to be air tight and sealed from the environment is provided to create a humidity controlled environment within the package. A humidity control device located within the humidity controlled environment is provided and configured to maintain the humidity level within the humidity controlled environment at a predetermined level. A cedar spill is located within the humidity controlled environment, sufficiently sized to assist the humidity control device in the maintaining of the humidity level within the humidity controlled environment at a predetermined level. And finally, at least one cigar is placed within the humidity controlled environment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cigar packaging and, more particularly,pertains to a humidity controlled packaging system for the sale of oneor more cigars.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Cigar aficionados have long known that some of the best cigars in theworld are grown in tropical or equatorial areas and that such cigars areoptimally aged in an environment where the relative humidity is high(approximately 70%). Numerous efforts have been directed towardachieving this level of humidity in confined environments. Varioushumidifying devices and humidors have been employed in an attempt toreplicate the humid climate where the cigar tobacco was grown. Knownhumidors include rooms and various boxes including humidifiers withinwhich cigars are stored and aged.

Cigar storage and humidification devices are well documented in theprior art, the purpose for which is to maintain the freshness andhumidity level of cigars prior to them being consumed. The moretraditional type of humidification devices are fairly large in size andare designed for holding a larger number of cigars in a humidifiedenvironment. While very effective, the drawback of such larger devicesis that they are not capable of being easily transported about.Accordingly, it has become desirable for one to be able to sell andcarry at least a single cigar in a humidified environment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with a specific illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, a humidity controlled package for a cigar is provided. A foilpackage configured to be air tight and sealed from the environment isprovided to create a humidity controlled environment within the package.A humidity control device located within the humidity controlledenvironment is provided and configured to maintain the humidity levelwithin the humidity controlled environment at a predetermined level. Acedar spill is located within the humidity controlled environment,sufficiently sized to assist the humidity control device in themaintaining of the humidity level within the humidity controlledenvironment at a predetermined level. And finally, at least one cigarmanufactured of tobacco is placed within the humidity controlledenvironment.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the humidity controlledpackage includes a cedar spill that is sufficiently sized to operate asan incendiary device for an ignition process to start slowly to enableflavors and aromatics of the tobacco to be released.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a humidity controldevice further comprises a two-way humidity controlled package such thatthe humidity within the humidity control device is imparted on thehumidity controlled environment so as to bring the two into equilibriumat a predetermined level.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the humidity controldevice further comprises a saturated solution of pure water and naturalsalt, where the saturated solution is contained within a water-vaporpermeable reverse osmosis membrane, and where the humidity controlmaintains a predetermined level of relative humidity (RH) by releasingor absorbing purified water-vapor as needed through the membrane withinthe humidity controlled environment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomereadily apparent upon reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figuresthereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of humiditycontrolled package and humidity control device for a cigar of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of humiditycontrolled package and humidity control device for a cigar of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary cedar spill of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms ‘a,’ ‘an,’ and ‘the’ may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

Humidity Regulation

It's well known in the art that certain salts mixed with water willnaturally regulate humidity. Typical humidity control devices either addmoisture or remove moisture. In one embodiment of the present invention,the humidity control device performs both functions, monitoring the RH(relative humidity) inside the container and regulating to the specificRH engineered into the humidity controlled package. In one embodiment,the humidity control device does not need to be activated or maintained.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidity controldevice is a Boveda 2-way humidity control pack, however, any suitabletwo-way and non-two-way humidity pack may be used without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention. In one embodiment,humidity control device 30 includes a case with a plurality of openings,a polymeric pouch having walls sufficiently thin to permit migration ofwater through the film in the form of water vapor and yet thick enoughto prevent the escape of liquid water, and a solution including anorganic or an inorganic solute (e.g., salt or sugar), vegetable gum andwater. The saturated solution contains excess solute (e.g., salt orsugar crystals) and is preferably made more viscous with a thickeningagent. In some select situations, a fungicide or inhibitor as well as asmall amount of a buffering salt mixture may be necessary.

Continuing with the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, humiditycontrol device 30 of the present invention may be constructed of anypolymeric material such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride,polybutylene, polycarbonate, cellophane, microporous polyethylene,microfiberous polyethylene and the like that will provide the porositynecessary for the movement of the water vapor and retention of liquidwater. The most suitable materials are polyvinylchloride, e.g. shrinkwrap, polyvinylchloride, microporous polyethylene and microfibrouspolyethylene. Other suitable materials are K-Resin, low densitypolyethylene if less than 0.3 mil thick, cellophane, and polystyrenefilms of 0.5 mil or less, and thin polycarbonate. Typically the filmfrom which the pouch is constructed will have a thickness of 0.25 to 1.0mils. The film may be as thin as 0.15 mils or thinner. Depending uponthe polymer from which the pouch is made, the film may have a thicknessof 1 mil or greater, providing sufficient moisture migration can takeplace through the film. As a general matter, thinner film is preferredproviding the strength of the film is sufficient to avoid rupture duringnormal use.

The solution of the illustrated humidity control device 30 may be anysuitable solute which has a saturated solution at 20% solute in water asa minimum and any solute that will provide a saturated solution at 75%solute in water as a maximum. The preferred range of solubility is 25 to50%. The preferred saturated solution contains 50% solute and 50% water,however, the maximum range contemplated in the present inventionprovides a saturated solution at 5% solute and as high as 90% solute byweight. A suitable solution may include a 50/50 combination of ammonianitrate and calcium chloride, this solution will provide a relativehumidity slightly under 70%. Some sugars may be suitable. Sucrose issuitable, but works at a slower rate than salts. Glucose and fructosework well for disposable pouches. These two sugar solutions work forfive to ten cycles. Sodium chloride is a preferred salt which is used ina large range of applications because of its humidity (ca 75%), goodsolubility (25%), non-toxicity, and cost. Other salts or solutes wouldbe used if a different humidity is desirable.

Cedar Spill

Cedar spills, or cedar splits, are an historic and traditional methodfor lighting a cigar. Use of the cedar spill helps preserve and protectthe taste and/or flavor of the cigar. The user lights the cedar spilland then carefully lights the open tip of the cigar by rotating thecigar over the flame. Alternatively, matches or butane lighters may beused to light the cigar, but these lighting devices frequently scorch orcontaminate the tobacco, oils and water within the cigar upon lightinggiving the cigar an off-taste.

Traditionally, cedar spills are produced from a cedar sheet which iscommonly provided with the cigars in a cigar box. The cedar spills aremade by folding the cedar sheet to a desired width and breaking thespill or strip off at the fold seam.

Keeping cigars at a constant humidity level can help keep them fresh andthe flavor truly at its peak. The type of wood used can have a bigeffect on the overall aging process and results. In one embodiment,Spanish Cedar is used. Spanish Cedar is frequently used to line theinside of cases or used for humidor trays is because it is absorbent andhelps stop moisture from building up and developing bacteria or mold,which is an important factor in keeping cigars fresh and flavorful.Another reason Spanish Cedar is chosen is due to the strong smell.Tobacco worms are drawn to a tasty cigar. The strong odor of SpanishCedar drives them away. In addition, the smell of Spanish Cedar isstrong enough to impart a light woody flavor and aroma to the storedcigars, a flavor that many people enjoy.

Reference is first made to FIG. 3 in which a cedar spill constructed inaccordance with the present invention is generally noted by thecharacter numeral 10. The cedar spill 10 has a first end or lighting end12, a second end or finger end 14, and a body 16. Further, the cedarspill 10 defines a length L. Spanish Cedar wood is highly recommendedfor production of the cedar spill 10 of the present invention because ithas a continuous and even burn rate that leaves only the burnt ash andminimal embers. However, any wood that with an even burn rate may beused to manufacture the spill 10 of the present invention. In apreferred embodiment, the cedar spill 10 is made from Spanish cedarwood.

The cedar spill depicted in the Figure is selected solely for thepurposes of illustrating the invention. Other and different cedar spillsmay utilize the inventive features described herein as well. Theillustrations are not intended to be representative with respect todimensions.

One of the reasons cigar smokers prefer a spill over a match or lighteris that, when lit, the cedar strip imparts a slight cedar flavor to thetobacco. Plus, cedar is “cleaner” than typical matches, and since spillsare longer, you have more time to properly light your cigar. Inaddition, a cedar spill is specifically designed for the cigar smoker toget the most out of their cigar by enabling the ignition process tostart slowly. This enables the true flavors and aromatics of thetobaccos to come forth as the cigar maker intended. Moreover, SpanishCedar burns quickly and hot and provides a vibrant flame for lightingthe actual cigar. The cedar is used to light the cigar as would be anyother implement, the cigar is rotated, the smoker puffs until an evenand hot cherry is generated.

Humidity Controlled Package

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred exemplary embodimentof the humidity controlled package 20 and humidity control device 30 ofthe present invention is illustrated in front and back viewsrespectively. The humidity controlled package 20 includes a front side22 and back side 24, which are joined together to create the air tightseal and create a humidity controlled environment (not shown) within thepackage. A cigar would be placed in the humidity controlled environmentprior to sealing the humidity controlled package 20 off from theenvironment.

A key aspect of the present invention is that the front side 22 and backside 24 are formed in such a manner that an “airtight seal” ismaintained to create the humidity controlled environment within thehumidity controlled package 20. A substantially hermetic seal ismaintained between the front side 22 and back side 24 by sealing a foilmaterial.

The humidity controlled package 20 may be sized to receive a singlecigar or a plurality of cigars.

In operation, one or more cigars, a cedar spill and a humidity controldevice are placed within the humidity controlled environment of thehumidity controlled package. The foil material is then hermeticallysealed to create isolate the cigar, cedar spill and humidity controldevice from the environment. The humidity control device maintains therelative humidity in the humidity controlled package at thepredetermined level, such as 65, 69, 72, 75 or 84% to name a fewnon-limiting examples.

The humidity controlled package 20 may include a cigar cutter inaddition to the one or more cigars, cedar spill and humidity controldevice.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A humidity controlled package for a cigar comprising: a foilpackage configured to be air tight and sealed from the environment tocreate a humidity controlled environment within the package; at leastone cigar manufactured of tobacco located within the humidity controlledenvironment; a humidity control device located within the humiditycontrolled environment configured to maintain the humidity level withinthe humidity controlled environment at a predetermined level; and acedar spill located within the humidity controlled environment, thespill sufficiently sized to assist the humidity control device in themaintaining of the humidity level within the humidity controlledenvironment at a predetermined level.
 2. The humidity controlled packageof claim 1, wherein humidity controlled package of claim 1, wherein saidcedar spill is sufficiently sized to operate as an incendiary device foran ignition process to start slowly to enable flavors and aromatics ofthe tobacco to be released.
 3. The humidity controlled package of claim1, wherein said cedar spill imparts an aroma into the cigar and preventstoxins within the humidity controlled environment.
 4. The humiditycontrolled package of claim 1, wherein the preventing of toxins furthercomprises preventing mold, bacteria and tobacco beetles from developingin said humidity controlled package.
 5. The humidity controlled packageof claim 1, wherein said predetermined level is between 68% and 74% RH.6. The humidity controlled package of claim 1, wherein said humiditycontrol device further comprises a two-way humidity controlled packagesuch that the humidity within the humidity control device is imparted onthe humidity controlled environment so as to bring the two intoequilibrium at the predetermined level.
 7. The humidity controlledpackage of claim 6, wherein said humidity control device furthercomprises a saturated solution of pure water and natural salt, whereinthe saturated solution is contained within a water-vapor permeablereverse osmosis membrane, wherein the humidity control maintains apredetermined level of relative humidity (RH) by releasing or absorbingpurified water-vapor as needed through the membrane within the humiditycontrolled environment.
 8. The humidity controlled package of claim 6,wherein said two-way humidity control package is a product manufacturedby Boveda.
 9. A humidity controlled package for a cigar comprising: afoil package configured to be air tight and sealed from the environmentto create a humidity controlled environment within the package; ahumidity control device located within the humidity controlledenvironment configured to maintain the humidity level within thehumidity controlled environment at a predetermined level, wherein saidhumidity control device further comprises a saturated solution of purewater and natural salt, wherein the saturated solution is containedwithin a water-vapor permeable reverse osmosis membrane, wherein thehumidity control maintains a predetermined level of relative humidity(RH) by releasing or absorbing purified water-vapor as needed throughthe membrane within the humidity controlled environment; and a cedarspill located within the humidity controlled environment, the spillsufficiently sized to assist the humidity control device in themaintaining of the humidity level within the humidity controlledenvironment at a predetermined level.
 10. The humidity controlledpackage of claim 9, further comprising a cigar manufactured of tobacco.11. The humidity controlled package of claim 9, wherein humiditycontrolled package of claim 1, wherein said cedar spill is sufficientlysized to operate as an incendiary device for an ignition process tostart slowly to enable flavors and aromatics of the tobacco to bereleased.
 12. The humidity controlled package of claim 9, wherein saidcedar spill imparts an aroma into the cigar and prevents toxins withinthe humidity controlled environment.
 13. The humidity controlled packageof claim 9, wherein the preventing of toxins further comprisespreventing mold, bacteria and tobacco beetles from developing in saidhumidity controlled package.
 14. The humidity controlled package ofclaim 9, wherein said predetermined level is between 68% and 74% RH. 15.The humidity controlled package of claim 9, wherein said humiditycontrol device further comprises a two-way humidity controlled packagesuch that the humidity within the humidity control device is imparted onthe humidity controlled environment so as to bring the two intoequilibrium at the predetermined level.
 16. The humidity controlledpackage of claim 15, wherein said two-way humidity control package is aproduct manufactured by Boveda.
 17. A method of providing a humiditycontrolled package for a cigar comprising: providing a foil packageconfigured to be air tight and sealed from the environment to create ahumidity controlled environment within the package; providing at leastone cigar manufactured of tobacco located within the humidity controlledenvironment; providing a humidity control device located within thehumidity controlled environment configured to maintain the humiditylevel within the humidity controlled environment at a predeterminedlevel, wherein said humidity control device further comprises asaturated solution of pure water and natural salt, wherein the saturatedsolution is contained within a water-vapor permeable reverse osmosismembrane, wherein the humidity control maintains a predetermined levelof relative humidity (RH) by releasing or absorbing purified water-vaporas needed through the membrane within the humidity controlledenvironment; and providing a cedar spill located within the humiditycontrolled environment, the spill sufficiently sized to assist thehumidity control device in the maintaining of the humidity level withinthe humidity controlled environment at a predetermined level.